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Equity In Boys' And Girls' Sports On Schedule For Prime Time This Year.

October 11, 1995|By ADAM WEINSTEIN and Ely High School

In an effort to be fair to girls' basketball and soccer teams last year, starting times for games were switched so that both girls' and boys' teams got primetime starts.

Girls' basketball teams got the 8 p.m. start for half the season, and boys' teams got the other half. In soccer, girls' teams started at 7 p.m. for half the season, then the boys' teams got the primetime start.

This year, the schedules have been changed again. When the boys' teams are at home, the girls' teams are away, said Clarence Noe, Broward County athletic director.

"The main thing was so they can start earlier and we can get the kids home earlier," Noe said. "That's the reason it changed, it's not gender equity. When you're playing three or four games, you don't always get [finished) when you're supposed to and next thing you know, it's 11 p.m."

Athletes and fans were glad to hear of the change because they said last year people would not stay late to watch the girls play.

"I'm glad they changed their minds. [Last year's) setup was really kind of rotten," said Ely High senior basketball player Kristina Bain.

"I can understand how the girls feel," said Craig Ellis, 16, a junior basketball player at Nova High. "I would be really disappointed if the crowd just walked out without giving me a chance. I don't think it's fair."

Many high school spectators said they left early.

"If I catch the activity bus home, I'm only going to get to see the early game," said Faris Jessa, 16, a senior at Ely. "And I don't care what sex the team is, as long as they get a win for my school."

Players said the new schedules should work out well.

"It sounds like a good idea," said Ellis. "That way, everybody gets their main event.

"But really, it's not that big a deal. The important part is that everybody gets their chance to play."